Latest Fantasy MMA News – UFC

Werdum was defeated by Alexander Volkov via KO (punches) at 1:38 of Round 4 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.

Fantasy Analysis

Werdum struggled with the size of Volkov. He got an immediate takedown in the first round, but could not get by Volkov's legs to pass his guard. When the fight was standing Werdum could not avoid Volkov's jab to land strikes of his own. In the second Werdum did typical Fabricio Werdum things and tried to fake as if he was hurt by punches and fall to the ground in an attempt to make "Drago" follow him there. He also tried numerous takedown attempts, but Volkov easily defended. He was finally able to land a takedown halfway through the round, but once again could not pass the Russian's guard. However, the Brazilian did open up a cut on Volkov's forehead with an elbow. The third round was the beginning of the end for Werdum who had a big cut opened up on his eye from a Volkov punch. It caused major swelling and the eye was almost swollen shut. After that, Werdum had a hard time defending against "Drago's" striking as his vision was compromised. In Round 4 Volkov landed a few big strikes and knocked Werdum down. He followed that up with a huge punch that knocked out the Brazilian legend. It will be interesting to see where Werdum's career goes from here because he is an older fighter and may not be able to compete with the top of the division at this point.

Volkov showed great takedown defense and a great guard in this fight. He got taken down immediately in the first round, but "Drago" would not let Werdum pass his guard. Once he got back to his feet, Volkov was able to land a nice uppercut that snapped back Werdum's head, but was taken down again. In the second, Werdum kept trying to take the Russian down, but Volkov showed great defense for the first half of the round. Werdum eventually landed a takedown, but once again could not pass Volkov's guard. However, he did open a cut on the former Bellator champion's forehead. In Round 3 Volkov opened up a big cut with a punch. That was the beginning of the end as his eye was almost swollen shut. Werdum had no answers for Volkov's striking and could not take him down. In the fourth Volkov started to land big punches and eventually knocked Werdum down. He followed it up with a huge punch that knocked Werdum out cold. This was a huge win for Volkov and will put him close to a title shot.

Blachowicz had a great game plan in this fight. He stayed behind his jab and used that to shut down Manuwa's power punches. In the first round he almost finished the fight when he dropped Manuwa, but "Poster Boy" recovered and survived to the second round. In the second round, Manuwa seemed to be taking control, but then was stunned again. Once again, he recovered and hit Blachowicz with a huge head kick that may have finished the fight if there was not only 20 seconds left in the round. In the third, Blachowicz used his jab and great head movement to avoid Manuwa's power punches. Blachowicz avenged a prior loss to Manuwa and they will likely have a rubber match. This will likely be Fight of the Night.

Manuwa was almost finished in the first round and that swung the fight in Blachowicz's favor for the remaining rounds. Blachowicz respected Manuwa's power to start the fight, but found an opening and dropped Manuwa. He tried to swarm him, but "Poster Boy" recovered and survived to the second round. In Round 2, Manuwa stayed aggressive but got stunned again. Towards the end of the round he landed a huge head kick that seemed like it would end Blachowicz's night, but there was only 20 seconds left in the round so Manuwa could not finish him. In the third round Manuwa seemed to be gassed. He was looking for a knockout punch but Blachowicz was able to avoid and land punches of his own. Throughout the fight Manuwa only threw big punches, Blachowicz did not have as much power, but through a high volume of strikes and used his jab well. He also showed good head movement to avoid Manuwa's power shots.

Duquesnoy's leg kicks were the story of this fight. In the first round he landed 14 leg kicks to Ware's 3. He ended most of his combinations with leg kicks throughout the fight. At the end of the first and second rounds he was taken down and absorbed some ground and pound. In the third round Ware's pace and body shots started to take their toll and Duquesnoy began to fade. Ware has never been finished and it seemed like he won the third round. If Ware was more successful at defending leg kicks he may have stolen the fight from "Fire Kid."

Ware's inability to defend against leg kicks was the story of this fight. Duquesnoy ended many of his combinations with leg kicks, and most of them landed. In the first round he landed 14 leg kicks to Ware's 3. Ware was able to get a takedown toward the end of the round and land good ground and pound in the last 10 seconds of the round. The second round was very similar to the first in that Duquesnoy landed a lot of leg kicks and Ware got a late takedown. Ware landed good punches in the round as well, and even had a slight edge in total strikes landed in the fight. In the third, Ware continued to eat leg kicks but waved Duquesnoy on. Ware's pace and body shots seemed to be tiring Duquesnoy at the end of the round.

Sobotta was defeated by Leon Edwards via TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.

Fantasy Analysis

Sobotta was dropped early and never really had an answer for Edwards' striking in this fight. His biggest moment came after he was dropped when he almost submitted Edwards with an armbar. Once he lost that armbar, he never really came close to another submission. In the second round he tried to strike with Edwards but was losing that battle. He seemed to anticipate being hit, which caused him to miss his jab on many occasions. In the third Sobotta was dominated on the ground by Edwards and cut very badly. Eventually he gave up his back and Edwards unloaded punches until the referee stopped the fight.

Edwards was ahead from the beginning of the fight. He immediately dropped Sobotta when the bell rang to start the fight. He almost got submitted when he jumped in to finish the fight and Sobotta caught him in an armbar. "Rocky" was able to escape and spent the majority of the round on top, but was unable to mount any offense against the BJJ black belt. Edwards eventually let Sobotta up and out-struck him for the remainder of the round. The second round was interesting strategy from Edwards. He was winning the striking battle, and then decided to take Sobotta, a black belt in BJJ, to the ground. Sobotta eventually took his back and went for submissions. Edwards was able to shake him off and end up on top to end the round. The fight ended in the third when Edwards reversed an attempt from the Polish fighter and ended up in side control. He landed a lot of short elbows and busted Sobotta open, and then landed punches from the back to force the referee to stop the fight.

Philips was defeated by Charles Byrd via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:58 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.

Fantasy Analysis

Phillips is a known power puncher, so Byrd took him down seconds into the fight. Phillips could not manage to get back to his feet, absorbed some punches, and eventually gave up his back. He did a good job fighting the choke, but eventually Byrd tightened it up and forced the tap.

Byrd immediately shot for a takedown at the beginning of the fight because Phillips is known to be a good striker. He went right into the mount and smothered Phillips for the whole fight. Eventually Byrd took his back and sunk in the choke.

Roberts came out looking to strike with the karate standout Enkamp. He stunned Enkamp early and forced Enkamp to shoot on him. He defended the takedown and the fighters disengaged. Shortly after, Roberts landed a huge left hand that dropped Enkamp face down and the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.

Enkamp was defeated by Danny Roberts via KO (punches) at 2:12 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.

Fantasy Analysis

Enkamp was looking to rebound after dropping his Octagon debut to Nordine Taleb. Very early on he got hurt by a punch and it forced him to shoot on Roberts. After the fighters disengaged, Roberts landed a huge left hand that dropped Enkamp face down. The referee jumped in to stop the fight as it was clear Enkamp was done.

Dawodu was defeated by Danny Henry via submission (guillotine) at 0:39 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.

Fantasy Analysis

Dawodu had a very disappointing debut. He got immediately blasted with a straight right hand from Henry, which dropped the UFC newcomer. Henry then sunk in a guillotine which did not even give Dawodu a chance to tap as he quickly became unconscious.

Ankalaev was defeated by Paul Craig via submission (triangle choke) at 4:59 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.

Fantasy Analysis

Ankalaev came in with a lot of hype and a pristine 9-0 record. he was a huge -700 favorite for his UFC debut. The Russian was able to hurt Craig early with a body kick, and almost finished him towards the end of the first round from mount. In the second, there was little action, but Ankalaev had a great reversal where he was on his knees and picked Craig up and slammed him, using no leg strength. The Dagestan native came out with urgency in the third and hurt Craig early. He was on his way to a unanimous decision victory, but when the ten second clap took place Craig locked in a triangle and Ankalaev tapped with one second left. It was a good lesson that he has to be aware of the time because he easily could have survived another second.